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Little D LOVES the kayak...

After swimming last week, Dan and Carrie brought Daniel over to play in the lake with us. He came on the kayak with me and absolutely loved it- didn't want to leave!

210/365

Once again, so thankful for the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Wednesday night prayer meeting has been such a blessing to me. It is such a gift to be able to gather with other believers and unite together through prayer. What a way to worship our incredible Savior.

Tonight I was so convicted about my lack of dependence on Christ, and not only that, but my lack to LOVE for Him. Pastor Fisher was pretty blunt when he told us that our lack of communication with God proves our lack of love for Him. At first when I heard this I thought, well... I really do love God, I just forget to pray. I just forget to communicate with Him... I'm just too tired and busy. But that proves that I don't love Christ like I should.

The people who know me and love me KNOW that I am a communicator. If I love somebody, I want to talk to them and hear how things are going, and I want to fill them in on every single detail of my life.

How much more should I desire to communicate with God?? Our love is proven by our actions. We can say we love God all day long, but if we don't live it out, we aren't loving! It's not a matter of a checklist or a legalistic attitude, it's a matter of having a passion for Christ and desiring to be with Him in His presence ALL THE TIME!

I was able to pray with Mrs. Misner and Mrs. McGilvra, and it was so neat to go before the Lord with these godly ladies and worship, and then just talk to God. And what is even more exciting is that God is answering prayers that we specifically brought to God that night. How merciful and gracious God is.

God is real, He desires to communicate with us (which is crazy), and He is working. He's so good. Thankful.

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Little D and I went on a DATE to visit Great Grammie today! We had a ton of fun eating ice cream, playing with her big red trucks, and just catching up with her! So thankful Grammie lives so close! :)

After visiting Grammie, I got coffee with Tingting, Zixing, and Aunt Karen. It was DEEELICIOUS! And to top it off, we are planning a trip to Europe!!! Life is never dull... 

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Soooo..... today was the most random day of all! Complete with an early morning run, a day full of studying and work, an evening of GREAT volleyball (Monday night's- Lightsey Bridge- 5pm... YOU are invited!), and then a random funny dinner with a friend from college. Not only did we enjoy a great Mexican feast, but we got pulled over after a trip to Starbucks... (He was driving) and we got out of a ticket! The officer was so nice... "Now I know you're from out of town (to my friend), but hey (to me) if you ever need ANYTHING, you just let me know. My name is officer  ____ (can't remember), and I'd be happy to help with anything you need! I'm just going to let you go with a warning. Enjoy your tour of Clemson and have a great evening."

SO, I've never gotten out of a ticket before while driving, but I suppose in the passenger seat I have more success. :)

Fun day!

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Happy Birthday, Dad!

I just have to say, my dad is pretty much the coolest in the whole world! (I'm entitled to brag a little bit, right?) I know I just wrote a poem about him for Father's Day, so I'll refrain for the time being.

BUT.... Dad, you really are great! Happy Birthday! Love you :)

Daniel was pretty excited about the red football he bought my dad, as WELL as helping him blow
out his candle. :)

Daniel picked out his card for Boppa... it sang "B-B-Bad to the Bone"
He went shopping with daddy and mommy to Walmart to pick it out....

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Running... what a great gift! SWIMMING... and even greater gift!

I've really had a blast getting together with people Saturday mornings to run the Dikes here in Clemson, followed by a quick swim! It has been neat to meet new people and build deeper relationships. Exercise is a gift... Clemson rowing center and the two mile radius around it is a gift.

Must say that not only was the beginning of the day a BLAST, but the end was as well! I was able to go to an engagement party for one of my dear friends, Lacey Moody. After the party, I met a group of friends at the Greenville Pickens Speedway. What a fun, redneck way to end a great day! Gotta love good ole' SC!

Syd, Teresa, Bryon, Andrew and me... (Caleb was with us but had already left!)

Great Saturday!

OHHH... I ALSO had the great honor of attending a birthday party for sweet little Asha! It was such a neat time of worship, and then celebration of her little life. And the FOOD was tremendous! Thanks, Rachel! :) (I knew I was forgetting something big in the middle of the day! ) :)

Tingting and Zhixin at Asha's party :)

Carrie, Aunt Karen and me 

This is what happens when you DON'T want your picture taken!

Ran and Xin

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Cars 2... date night with little D!

(I have to admit I am a week behind, so I am actually writing the next 10 entries on the 4th of July. Don't tell on me for cheating. Confessing it upfront somehow makes it better. Phew. Now that I have that out...)

Bryon Kaufman, and I took little Daniel to his VERY first movie tonight! We went to see Cars 2. He thought we were going to see RACE CARS, because we've gone to watch cars race at Clemson in a parking lot. But he was excited when he walked in and saw the HUGE screen. He was instantly glued and was so excited.

I didn't know if he'd be scared because everything was so big and loud, but as soon as we sat down he started exclaiming... "CAR!" "TRUCK!" "LOUD!". He sat through most of the movie, then he walked around our aisle and pulled all of the arm rests down on the seats around us. He was too cute. He was also fascinated with the hand dryers in the bathroom... SUCH an expressive little boy!

What a fun night! Thankful!

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Thursday... it's almost Friday. That's exciting and something to be thankful for!

Been doing a little bit of swimming in the lake. Tonight I went out with several friends and we are definitely conquering our fear of the monsters that live in Hartwell. It was pretty dark and windy today- a little eerie to be swimming in open water for any distance, but we DID IT!! And it was so much fun!

I have decided a triathlon is on the bucket list after all. Now to pull out the bike...

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Schwimming... at Aunt Resa's! So much to be thankful for!

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Sneak preview of a few shots from the day... in 97 degree weather! Fortunately Luke thought to bring a TOWEL to wipe the sweat off our faces. What a fun day...

They are a beautiful couple! (yes, Luke... beautiful :))

Sydney looks like a model-- beautiful!!

Love the personality!!

Once again, the mill pulls through for us!

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So... Been working on my photography a bit. I've really REALLY enjoyed my little Nikon D60. One of these days I'm going to be able to buy a new lens. I keep praying lenses will start dropping from the sky, or maybe they will float down on a little cloud. That would be nice. :)

I took a few pictures of Caleb Gruendling down at the Oil Mill the other day, and tomorrow I'm doing another engagement session for my cousin and his fiance at the mill. It's going to be fun! I suppose if I capture any good shots you will get an update. If you never see any of the pictures from tomorrow, you'll know I wasn't successful. :) Pray for a cloudy day! (but no rain!)

I love this shot because I love the bright green and yellow backdrop. There is a section on one of the buildings that has been taken over by this... moss/mold/whatever it is! It's my favorite spot for pictures!

The sky was SO cloudy... we jumped in the car to dodge a terrible storm. This picture just reminds me of how
it felt at the mill... just a little eerie. Probably my best shot ever! :) (blurrrrry.....)

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In honor of Father's Day, I'd like to give a little shout out to my dear boss, Bert.

"Dad, You Are The Best"

Dad, you are great,
You really are the best.
Dad, you are cool,
You really are the best.
Dad, you used to wear plaid bell bottoms in high school,
You really are the best.
Dad, you had a RED afro,
You really are the best.
Dad, you make really good hash on the 4th of July,
You really are the best.
Dad, you got an albatross this MONTH... WOW!
You really are the best.
Dad, I am your favorite daughter.
You really are the best.

Dad, Happy Father's day! I'm so thankful for you... for so many reasons. Most importantly, for teaching me to love Jesus. I love you!

201/365

What a day!

Started off with an early morning 8 smiler (what we call mile...), then a 1 smile swim in the lake with GREAT people! We've started a little running club here in Clemson and have just had a blast! Had 15 out this week and look to include more people who are interested. There are all sorts of running clubs in Greenville but nothing in Clemson other than collegiate clubs, so this is my attempt to bring accountability and enjoyment of outdoors to a few in Clemson. It's been a real blessing getting to spend a few hours on Saturdays out in God's creation getting exercise with awesome friends. I am very blessed. (and if you are in the area and want to join, NO MATTER YOUR LEVEL, please come out!!)

I had the privilege of attending TWO weddings in the afternoon/evening. I made a quick trip in a 4 for Erica Zelenko's wedding- so exciting! It was neat to be back at Oakwood and see old, familiar faces (not old in age... just faces from the good ole' days :)). And then I headed back to Clemson for Ben Senn and Bekah Rudie's wedding. It was beautiful... and once again a reunion of old faces. As I left I was so thankful... being with so many old friends brought back great memories of childhood. I realize more and more every day (and at every reunion-type event) how blessed I have been in my life to know the people I've known and to have the experiences I have had. Growing up in Clemson at UBC was like growing up with a big, tight-knit family... and I am so thankful for that.

GREAT Saturday- thankful!

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I love summer... and LOVE the fact that these little critters are running around. The other morning dad called me outside to get a picture of this lizard that was climbing around our hydrangea bushes. So, I got a picture. Kinda cool that you can see the scales (if that's what they are) and then the little ear. And it looks like the lizard was looking right at me. Wonder what he was thinking!!! 

Happy summer!!

199/365

I miss these kiddo's.... THANKFUL for my family!

What a cute desktop background! 

We like to dance over Skype.... I MISS BENTON!

198/365

Prayer

I'm thankful for the opportunity we have to go before the Lord in prayer. Tonight we were challenged on our mindset of prayer. How often do I neglect going before the Lord to praise, worship and intercede?

Pastor Fisher challenged us with this thought...

Imagine getting a call from the President's secretary saying that President (insert favorite president here) wants to invite you to the White House to spend the day with you and give you a tour. So, to DC you fly on Air Force One to spend a day with a VERY prominent man, and the day ends with a picture and signature.

Do you think you'd talk about that for a while... maybe your whole life? I know I would!

How much more should WE as believers be DYING to share Jesus Christ with others?? I mean, A President is important, but Jesus Christ is the most popular person of all time-- and WE can speak with Him and meet with Him directly!

Interesting food for thought. Convicting. I think as believers growing up in a Christian culture we have forgotten (atleast I have) what it was like not to know Christ and NOT to have this opportunity. We should cherish it. And boast about it... BOAST about Jesus Christ!!

He's so good to us- how can we NOT share the reality of Him to a world who is craving Him?

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Thankful for the "half girl's night" I spent with mom tonight. We went to Greenville to buy some birthday gifts for dad (and Father's Day gifts), and just had the best time shopping. The trip was complete with some sea salt scrub my mom bought (simply because the girl who was forcing us to buy was soooo entertaining.... she got a steal, don't worry), dinner downtown at The Lazy Goat (which was incredible- my new favorite restaurant in Greenville!!!), dessert at Luna Rosa (key ingredient in a girl's night), and RAIN! The reason the rain was so exciting is that mom and I had spent about an hour detailing the car this morning, and we were so excited to see the rain bead up on the car... success! I know, it's the little things.

Thankful for my mom and the fun times we have together! I just love her!!

195/365

Tonight we celebrated the Lord's Supper at church and it was such a blessing. I feel like many times in my life when I have celebrate the Lord's supper, we have been challenged to "get right with God so you will be worthy of taking the Lord's supper." It's almost the idea of, "Hurry, clean up your life so you are 'worthy' to take part. Get all of that sin OUT!" This is Biblical in the sense that if we have known sin in our lives we are to deal with it before partaking, but there is NOTHING that we can do in our OWN strength to become "worthy" of going before God in any way. Being able to stand before Christ has nothing to do with how GOOD I am, the fact that I have no "unknown" sin in my life, the fact that I am a nice person... being able to stand before Christ is GRACE.

We've been going through a book study in Sunday school called Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges. (Great read!) He talkes alot about the need of preaching the Gospel to yourself daily... focusing on the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, but also what this means for my life and How God is working in my life today BECAUSE of the Gospel. Because of the Gospel and because of Christ's work on the cross I can have victory, I can love, I can have peace, etc... and ultimately I can glorify God.

When we step back and view the cross it can't help but humble us. Today Pastor Fisher was teaching on this and he brought out the fact that even if the whole world were perfect but ME and I sinned ONE time, that would be enough sin for Jesus to die. My sin drove Him to the cross.

SO, all of that said, tonight as we celebrated the Lord's supper it was a needed time for me to focus on the cross of Jesus Christ. We read from Isaiah 52:13-53:12 which says...

Behold, bmy servant shall act wisely;1

he shall be high and lifted up,

and shall be exalted.

14 As many were astonished at you—

chis appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance,

and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—

15 so dshall he sprinkle2 many nations;

ekings shall shut their mouths because of him;

ffor that which has not been told them they see,

and that which they have not heard they understand.

53 gWho has believed what he has heard from us?3

And to whom has hthe arm of the Lord been revealed?

2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,

iand like a root out of dry ground;

jhe had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.

3 kHe was despised and rejected4 by men;

a man of sorrows,5 and acquainted with6 grief;7

and as one from whom men hide their faces8

he was despised, and lwe esteemed him not.

4 mSurely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

nsmitten by God, and afflicted.

5 oBut he was wounded for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

pand with his stripes we are healed.

6 qAll we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

rand the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

syet he opened not his mouth;

tlike a ulamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;

and as for his generation, vwho considered

that he was cut off out of the land of the living,

stricken for the transgression of my people?

9 And they made his grave with the wicked

wand with a rich man in his death,

although xhe had done no violence,

and there was no deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet yit was the will of the Lord to crush him;

he has put him to grief;9

zwhen his soul makes10 an offering for guilt,

he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;

athe will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see11 and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall bthe righteous one, my servant,

cmake many to be accounted righteous,

dand he shall bear their iniquities.

12 eTherefore I will divide him a portion with the many,12

fand he shall divide the spoil with the strong,13

because he poured out his soul to death

and was numbered with the transgressors;

gyet he bore the sin of many,

and makes intercession for the transgressors.

WOW. To think about what Christ has done for me... Thank you, Jesus.

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I don't even know where to begin ... I spent 7 hours out at the rowing center today with lots of GREAT people. Anna Whitwell, Caleb and Seth Gruendling and I helped with the Death Valley Open Water swim meet that was held out at the rowing center. We were kayak support for the many MANY swimmers that came out. I don't think we realized exactly what we were getting into, but we had a BLAST and got some sun in the process. :)

It was incredible seeing these athletes swim. Some were just incredibly fast, and some were sooo young. They had several different events which started off with a 5k swim. 5K!!! That just seems like toooo much for me. It's hard enough for me to run 3.1 miles, much less SWIM it!

My hat goes off to swimmers. If you are a swimmer, you are my hero. I'm thankful for a peek into a WHOLE different world today! And I met some new people who might come join our Saturday morning running/kayaking/swimming group! FUN stuff right there!

GOOD day!

197/365

Tuesday... great day!

Spent time with a good friend I haven't been able to see much lately. We went in to Anderson and got almost everything on our list. That's always a good day!

193/365

Skype keeps us CLOSE!

Today Daniel, Carrie and I skyped with Benton, Rach and Sarah. It was so much fun!

192/365

It's a boy... Calvin Kendall Bougie!

Today I had the privilege to go to Kat's ultrasound with Aunt Resa. It was SO NEAT seeing little Calvin- he's real! :) I just thank the Lord for the time that I had both with Katherine and with Aunt Resa. There are people in your life who you are close to, and then there are people in your life who are like family. The Millsaps are family.

There have been points in my life where I have been really confused or discouraged, or even doing alright, and Aunt Resa is one of those people who has been willing to say the needful but hard things. She's like a mom to me- and I just love her and thank God for giving me a sound voice of insight on so many things I've faced in life.

AND KATHERINE... well, she has walked through life with me. She knows me probably better than I know myself. I'm SO thrilled to be able to share this time with her, and I can't wait to babysit!!! I'm ready to perform my AUNTIE duties :)... I'm so thrilled for what God is doing in Kat and Andrew's life, and the fact that He's giving them this little life to take care of and love.

With all of that said, I thank God for Katherine and Aunt Resa, and I'm especially thankful I got to spend time with them today!!

Kat pulls off the pregnant looks REALLY WELL! :) Beautiful!

Two beautiful, very special laides :)

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You know those people in your life who influence you so much and as you look back you realize the depth of that impact? There's a special man who God has allowed me to know who has had that impact in my life and I know the lives of many, many others.

In high school I had the privilege of sitting under Jack Dean for several Bible classes. Mr. Dean was so much fun- he always told us stories from his baseball career and then how God used circumstances to direct him from that career path into "full time" Christian service. Day in and day out Mr. Dean would teach and throughout all of his teaching the concept of the reality of Christ was incorporated.

"If there's nothing else you take away from this class, remember that GOD IS REAL." He drilled it daily.

If there is anybody in this world who has displayed the love of Christ, it's Mr. Dean. If there is anybody in the world who has demonstrated the reality of Christ, it's Mr. Dean. I'm so thankful that God has used this man to over and over again to remind me of the reality of Christ. The fact that God is real and that we can have a personal, intimate relationship with Him is astounding! 

I am so happy that today Mr. Dean is sitting at the feet of Jesus, the one He loved and passionately pursued. With tears we remember great times with such a special man, but we rejoice that God has brought him home!  I love Mr. and Mrs. Dean so much, and thank God for their lasting impact on my life. 

19 x“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where ymoth and rust1 destroy and where thieves zbreak in and steal, 20 xbut lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."

Matthew 6:19-20